Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

[Bob S.]

I'm going to be refinishing my '68 shift plate. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Way back, I had great success in refinishing the Faux Vents on the hood of my '63, using pin stripping tape and krylon paint. I'm thinking of going the same way here, unless, of course, there are better ways. I'm especially concerned with the raised lettering. This, I have no experience with.

Also, why don't they make a replacement for the '68?

Thanks in advance,

Bob
(9944)

[Russ S.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

Bob, On the lettering I would just paint over them and let dry for about ten minutes then use a paper towel or cloth lightly dipped in lacquer thinner and carefully wipe off the top of the letters.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

SEM Trim Black is a better color - and a better paint.

I've used the blue masking tape and an X-Acto knife to mask the chrome edges, and you can wipe off the paint from the letters as Russ describes.

Patrick

[Bob S.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

Bob, On the lettering I would just paint over them and let dry for about ten minutes then use a paper towel or cloth lightly dipped in lacquer thinner and carefully wipe off the top of the letters.

Thanks, Russ.

[Michael D.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

I used the old 5-ball Krylon semi-flat black. These days you have to purchase it from an industrial coatings outlet.

[Bob S.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

SEM Trim Black is a better color - and a better paint.

I've used the blue masking tape and an X-Acto knife to mask the chrome edges, and you can wipe off the paint from the letters as Russ describes.

Patrick

Is the Trim Black a Flat Black?

[Bob S.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

Bob, On the lettering I would just paint over them and let dry for about ten minutes then use a paper towel or cloth lightly dipped in lacquer thinner and carefully wipe off the top of the letters.

Thanks, Russ

[Bob S.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

I used the old 5-ball Krylon semi-flat black. These days you have to purchase it from an industrial coatings outlet.

Thank you!

[Bob S.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

One last question....What is recommended as the best paint remover?

BD
(9944)

[Douglas C.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

Krylon # 1613 is a dead-on match for GM interior pieces. And I have always scraped the excess paint off the letters with a razor blade, works for me.

[Michael D.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

...One last question....What is recommended as the best paint remover?...

The trim plate is metal, so you can use any of the commercial stuff you would not otherwise use on fiberglass. Zip-Strip works but takes it's time doing it. Brake fluid will eat paint. Some folks say Easy Off Oven Cleaner will do it.

[Don L.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

I've used Krylon #1613 and I've used SEM Trim Black. As Patrick suggests, the Trim Black IS the better material. Not as easy to find, you'll likely have to go to an automotive paint store to get it. You'll pay more too, but IMHO, it's well worth the premium. When I re-did my shift plate, I believe I masked the perimeter chrome and wiped the rest. I used a cut off wooden coffee stir-stick to wipe. Found the paper towel too difficult to control. Apply the paint sparingly so as not to fill the graining with paint.

This is not a tough job. Have confidence and take your time. You'll get good results.

[Mike B.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

As others have suggested, I masked off the chrome boarder and the crossed flag emblem. For the raised letters I put a little (like a film) of lithium grease on the tip of a finger and then touched the tops of the letters right before painting so the paint did not stick.

At the time I thought chapstick or carmex might work as well or better but I did not have any around.

[Bob S.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

Thanks Michael!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Refinishing 1968 Shift Plate

Is the Trim Black a Flat Black?

Nope, stain black.
It's dead nuts on for the original color.